Apparatus for making thin dipped rubber articles



March 4-, 1941. H. 'REXSINGER APPARATUS FOR MAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBERARTICLES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. H060 iEf/S/NEF/PMarch 4, 1941. H. REISINGER APPARATUS FOR MAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBERARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1940 INVENTOR. H060 PE/s/NEEPBY M :\ TTORNEY5 March 4, 1941.

H. REISINGER APPARATUS FOR MAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Jan.18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 4, 1941. H. REISINGER APPARATUS FORMAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Jan. 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4m a w m m 5 i w? z Q1 a m 2m 6, 0 IIIIIIWH 6 WI 1. I! w ma 7 1 March 4,1941.

H. REISINGER APPARATUS FOR MAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBER ARTICLES Filed Jan.18, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 am: We I ii:

1 W l I EEAD/NG STATION Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES APPARATUSFOR, MAKING THIN DIPPED RUBBER ARTICLES Hugo Rcisinger, Trenton, N. J.,assignor to Frank B. Killian & 00., Akron, Ohio, a partnership composedof James Tyrrell, trustee, Perry H. Stevens, Lucy S. Stevens, andMaurice Gusman Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,509

1 Claim.

This invention relates to the art of making thin dipped rubber articlesand is particularly concerned with new and improved apparatus for makingsuch articles from rubber solutions or dispersions such, for example, aslatex compounds.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a'machine embodying the presentinvention and including several stations where various operations areperformed in the manufacture of a thin dipped rubber article;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a part of the machineof Fig. 1 including forms on the conveyor, a slide for guiding the formcarrying conveyor and means for changing the angularity of the formsfrom a vertically up position to a horizontal position;

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse views, partly in section, taken on lines33 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a continuation of the slideand a further change in the angularity of the forms on the conveyor froma horizontal position to a vertically down position;

Figure 6 is a transverse, partly sectional, view taken on line 6'& ofFig. 5; 1

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partly in section,showing in detail parts of the conveyor, forms, form mountings and slideof Fig. 2;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are similar, respectively, to Figs. '7 and 8 butshowing a modified form of conveyor;

Figure 11 is a transverse view thru the beading station of Figure 1 andshowing one form of bead rolling apparatus;

Figure 12 is a sectional View taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line I3I3 of Fig. 11;

Figure 14 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a modified form ofbead rolling apparatus embodying the present invention; and

Figure 15 is a transverse view, partly in section, taken on line 15-45of Fig. 14.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but showing another form of beadrolling apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 17 is atop plan view showing the gear A for driving conveyor B,and

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the mechanism for synchronizingthe beading mechanism of Figs. 11 to 13 with the conveyor B.

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a machine for automatically making thindipped rubber goods from rubber in solution or dispersion form, suchexample, with the form Washing station C near the left hand end of Fig.1, the forms are there washed to remove foreign substances therefrom andare then dried at the next station D. Then the forms are dipped into thefirst dip tank E where a film of rubber is deposited on the forms, afterwhich the forms pass successively thru a cold tunnel F and a hot tunnelG where, respectively, cold and hot air is brought into contact with therubber films on the forms. Then the forms are dipped in the second diptank H to deposit a second layer of rubber on the first layer and theselayers are then subjected to treatment with cold and hotair as before intunnels I and J. The beads are formed on the open ends of the films atthe heading station K or stations K and K, after which the forms arepassed thru a hot tunnel L where the films of rubber on the forms arethoroughly dried. The forms are then dipped into a tank M containing hotwater Where the rubber films are vulcanized due to the presence ofvulcanizers in the films or in the water, after which the films aredusted at station N, and removed from the forms.

In Fig. 1 the dotted line B is intended to illustrate approximately theposition of the closed ends of the forms, as viewed from above, as theforms pass the several stations. For example, in the tunnels the line Bindicates that the forms are in a horizontal position while in the diptanks it indicates that they are in a vertically down position and atother places, for example when the forms are moving around the righthand driving sprocket A, it indicates that the forms are in a verticallyup position.

As is shown in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive, the conveyor B consists of aplurality of alternately arranged flat metal links I and cylindricallinks 2. The links I have slightly elongated holes l-a. near their endswhile links 2 are cut away axially to form a space 3 somewhat largerthan links I, so that the ends of two links I may be inserted in thespace 3 in a link 2 and held there in place by pins 4 which are mountedin links 2 and pass thru holes l--a inlinks 5. A conveyor constructed asjust described will permit limited relative turning movement of one linkrelative to another about their axes, so that in a length of a few feetthe conveyor may be twisted thru as much as 180 degrees.

The endless conveyor B comprising links I and 2 is supported thruoutsubstantially its entire extent by slides 5. These slides may beprovided on the outside with lugs 1 of various shapesby which the slidesmay be secured to suitable supports. Each slide is generally circular incross section and has an axial opening sufficiently large to permitlinks 2 to slide axially therein and each end of such opening ispreferably rounded off as is shown at 8 in Fig. "1 for the purpose ofguiding links 2 thereinto. Each slide 5 has a radial opening 9 extendingoutwardly therethru from the axial opening for a purpose which willpresently appear.

Where the forms are to move in the same plane for the full length of aslide 5, this radial opening 9 extends in a substantially straight linefrom end to end of the slide, However, where the angularity of the formsis to change while in the slide, the radial opening 9 extends spirallyalong .the slide, as is indicated in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive. At the leftend of Fig. 2 radial opening 9 is vertically up but extends spirallyalong slide 5 until it reaches a horizontal position at the right handend of slide 5, as is indicated in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, which may be acontinuation of the slide 5 of Fig. 2 or another slide, the opening 9 ishorizontal at the left hand end of Fig. 5 and extends spirally aroundthe slide, reaching a vertically down position at its right hand end, asis indicated in Fig. 6.

As is more clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, each link 2 of the conveyor Bhas one end of a rod I!) screwed thereinto and a nut II at its otherend. A metal sleeve I2 surrounds rod II]. A short metal tube #3 isrotatably mounted on sleeve I2, carries a rubber roller I4 near one endand bears on link 2 at its inner end, the roller I4 being disposedadjacent to the outside of slide 5. Another metal tube I5 rotatablysurrounds rod I and is provided at its outer end with a flange I6 and atits inner end with a nut I1 threaded thereto. Two rubber cylinders I8and I9 separated by a washer are mounted on tube I5, The lower end ofcylinder I9 is enlarged to form a roller 26. When a hollow form 21 ofthe shape and size of the article desired is telescoped over cylindersI8 and I9 and nut I1 is tightened, these cylinders are compressedaxially and expanded radiallythereby gripping the form and holding it inplace on the cylinders. It will be understood that the rod I0 andsleeves I2 and I3 project thru the radial opening 9 in slide and thatrollers I4 and 26 are outside of slide 5, the latter being more remotefrom the slide.

Rails 22 and 23 are carried by slides 5 on opposite sides of the radialopening 9 to engage respectively with rollers I4 and 20. When theconveyor is moving endwise in a guide 5, roller I4 will engage with rail22 and roll therealong, since it is free to rotate relative to rod III,while roller will engage with rail 23 and roll therealong, since it alsois free to rotate around rod I0. Thus rollers I4 and 20 may rotate inopposite directions. The rails 22 and 23 being positioned relative toradial opening 9, serve to guide the forms and keep them approximatelycentered in the radial opening 9 regardless of how it spirals aboutslide 5.

In Figs. 9 andv 10 is shown a modified form of conveyor. In thesefigures the cable 25 is endless and twistable and has cylindricalmembers 26 carries a rod I0 and form-mounting parts substantially as hasjust been described. The members 36 correspond to the links 2 describedabove and shown in Fig. '7.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13 is shown one form of bead forming apparatusembodying the present invention.

In Figure 11 the shaft 30 is supported in suitable bearings, and isattached to means (not shown) for rotating it; and carries a pluralityof eccentrics 3I. Connecting rods 32 encircling each eccentric areconnected to a plate 33, This plate is carried by a framework comprisingtwo similar ends, each composed of top and bottom horizontal members 34,and front and rear side members 35, and cross members 33. The top pairof angles 33 carry near the ends thereof two sprockets 36 (Fig. 12).Similarly .the lower pair of angles 33 carry a corresponding pair ofsprockets 31.

The frame just described is supported from above by stationary members38 and flexible steel straps 39 which flex to permit the frame to movehorizontally when the connecting rods 32 are r reciprocated by rotationof shaft 30.

Endless belts 40 are carried by sprockets 36 and 31 respectively. Eachbelt 46 is composed of links 4| hinged to each other, and each link hasa recess 42 corresponding to the projections 42a on the sprockets 36 and31. an elongated cup 43 in which is mounted a curved spring 44, arectangularly shaped spring 45 and a bead forming wiper 46 composed ofany suitable material and having a form engaging surface which issubstantially semi-cylindrical. A cotter pin 41 extends through the sideWalls of cup 43 and through member 46 serving to retain members 44, 45and 46 in cup 43. The hole in member 46 for cotter pin 41 is elongatedas shown in Figure 13, so that the members 45 and 46 may move outwardlyof cup 43 under the influence of spring 44,

Between the pairs of sprocket wheels 36 and 31 and within belts 40 aredisposed supports 48 attached to angles 33. These supports 48 carryguides 49 in which the belts 46 slide.

A slide 5 for conveyor B is disposed between the members 34 of the frameand is supported independently of the frame. The conveyor B carries formmountings and forms 2| as shown in other figures and already described.

The members 46 engage a form for a considerable length of travel, forexample, four feet, and in order that the film may berolled into a beadof the desired size, the belts 40 are inclined at a small angle to theconveyor B, Thus the members 46 which engage the end of the film whenthey first grip a form, will push and roll the film along the form for adistance of an inch or so due to this slight angularity.

When the belts 40 are actuated in synchronism with the conveyor B, twoopposed members 46 are brought into engagement with a form 2|substantially encircling the form, as shown in Fig. 12. Since themembers 46 are reciprocated axially of the form, the open end of thethin rubber film on the form will be progressively pushed and rolledupon itself toward the closed end of the form, thereby forming astrengthening bead on the article on the form.

In Figs. 14 and. 15 is shown another form of bead forming apparatusembodying the present invention and usable in connection with the abovedescribed machine.

In Figures 14 and 15 the slide 5 is so disposed Each link 4| carriesthat the forms 2| travel lengthwise thereof in a horizontal plane.Brackets 60 on the top of slide 5 carry a rail 6| to engage rollers I4of the formmountings, while brackets 62 carry a rail 63 to engagerollers 20 of the form mountings.

In spaced supports 64 is mounted a rotatable shaft 65 carrying anaccentric 66 around which is fitted an accentric strap 61 having aprojecting arm 68 pivotally and adjustably connected in a slotted arm 69which is keyed to one end 10 of a cylinder H which, at its ends, ismounted in bearings 12. This cylinder H is horizontally disposed andextends at a slight angle to the axes of form 2| as is illustrated inboth Figures 14 and 15. The cylinder H carries a projecting plate 13,which at its outer end is provided with a wiper 14 attached thereto by abinding strip 15. The wiper 14 may be composed of any material, such asfelt or leather, which is suitable for the purpose of pushing the openends of the rubber films on the forms 2| toward the closed ends of thefilms and rolling the film upon itself, thereby forming a strengtheningbead at the open end of the rubber articles. The shaft 65 may be rotatedby any suitable means.

When the conveyor B moves forms 2| lengthwise of the wiper 14 and thewiper is reciprocated toward and away from the closed ends of the forms2|, the partially dried but uncured, and unvulcanized films of rubber onthe forms will be progressively, and in small increments, pushed androlled toward the closed end of the film, and since the forms are beingrotated as they move lengthwise of the wiper 14, the open ends of therubber film on each form will be progressively pushed and rolled towardthe closed end of the form by application of such pushing action aroundthe circumference of the forms, so that by the time the forms havetravelled the full length of the wiper 14 strengthening beads at theopen ends of the rubber articles will have been formed entirely aroundthe articles and these beads will all be brought to the same distancefrom the closed ends of the forms and will be substantiallyperpendicular to the axes of the forms.

In Figure 16 is shown another form of bead rolling apparatus embodyingthe present invention. The parts of this apparatus which are like thatof Figs. 14 and 15 are numbered as in those figures and will not beredescribed here. The rotary bristle brush is mounted at its ends insuitable bearings (not shown) similar to bearings 12 of Fig. 14. Thebrush may be rotated as by a motor 8|, belt 82, and pulley 83 keyed tothe shaft of brush 86. The brush 89 is long enough to engage a pluralityof forms 2| and its axis is inclined at a small angle to thelongitudinal axis of the forms, in the manner the wiper 14 of Fig. 14 isinclined to those axes.

When the brush 80 is rotated, clockwise in Fig. 16 and the conveyor B ispropelled to move forms along the brush, the forms are confined totravel in a plane by rails 62 and 63 engaging rollers l4 and 20, theforms are rotated by roller 26 rolling on rail 63, and the films on theforms will be rolled upon themselves from their open ends toward theirclosed ends, thus producing strengthening beads on the articles.

While Figure 16 shows a bristle brush it will be understood that anymaterial may be employed instead of bristles which will operate to pushor roll the rubber films upon themselves to form a bead on the articles.

In Figure 1715 shown the wheel A which drives conveyor B. This wheelconsists of a hub 90 keyed to a shaft 9| which is driven by a suitablegear (not shown). Hub 90 carries a plurality of separate gear teeth 92positioned between pins 93. The end of each tooth 92 is bifurcated as at94 to provide a space for the link or cable 25 when the tooth is betweenthe links 2 or blocks 26 and the links 2 or blocks 26 are resting on theshoulders 95 of the gear teeth. Adjusting set screws 96 serve to preventthe teeth from moving inward radially of hub 96. The radialadjustability of teeth 92 insure proper meshing of the teeth with theconveyor as wear of the holes l-a and pins 4 takes place for as theteethare moved radially outward the circumferential distance between theteeth is increased.

Figure 18 illustrates diagrammatically means to insure proper meshing ofthe forms 2| in the semi-circular bead rolling members 46 of theapparatus of Figs. 11-13. Each endless belt 46 is driven by a chain I66which is actuated by a gear wheel |6| having teeth I62 spaced apart adistance equal to the distance between two adjacent forms 2|. The gearwheels Hll are rotated by engagement of the teeth I62 with the leadingends of links 2 or blocks 26 and thus the bead rolling members 46 arealways in proper position within respect to the forms.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the formcarrying cylindrical member, for example links 2 or blocks 26, areturnable about their longitudinal axes; that the rails engaging thewheels I4 and 20 of the form mountings will so turn such members abouttheir axes and thereby shift the angularity of the forms, that is, movethe forms from one plane to another plane; and that when the conveyor Bmoves endwise in a slide 5 having spiral rails the form carrying memberswill be turned about their axes and the angularity of the forms will bechanged.

It will be understood that when the apparatus of Figs. 2 to 10 inclusiveis used either with the reciprocable bead forming apparatus of Figs. 14and 15 or the rotary bead forming apparatus of Fig. 16, the forms are,preferably, rotated as by the engagement of the rails and rollers; butthat when the bead forming apparatus of Figs. 11-13 is used, the formsare preferably not rotated.

Having thus described the present invention so that others skilled inthe art may be able to understand and practice the same, I state thatwhat I desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

Apparatus of the class described comprising an endless conveyorincluding cylindrical members, a fixed tube-like member embracing saidconveyor and constituting a slide therefor, said member having alongitudinally extending radial opening, the transverse curvature ofsaid member being suficient to maintain said cylindrical memberstherewithin, rods attached to and projecting from said cylindricalmembers through said radial opening, form assemblies rotatably mountedon said rods, each said assembly including rollers spaced axially alongsaid rod, one of said rollers including a tubular extension composed ofdeformable rubber, a tubular form surrounding said extension, and meansfor compressing said extension axially and thereby expanding itlaterally into close fitting engagement with said form, and a fixed railalong said radial opening and engaging with the form carrying rollers.

HUGO REISINGER.

